Leavell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

The Leavell surname is derived from the Norman French word "lou," meaning "wolf," with the diminutive suffix "el." 1 2

Early Origins of the Leavell family

The surname Leavell was first found in Somerset. Robert, Lord of Breherval and Yvery in Normandy is regarded as the progenitor of this family. His father was Eudes, sovereign Duke of Brittany. His is listed in the Roll of Battle Abbey and received from the Conqueror a grant of the Lordships of Kary and Harpetre, in the county of Somerset. He eventually returned to his native Duchy and died a monk in the abbey of Bec, leaving three sons. The eldest, one Ascelin Gouel de Perceval succeeded his father as Lord of Breherval. As a violent man, he acquired the surname "Lupus." In turn his son was surnamed "Lupellus," or little wolf which was softened to "luvel." He had five sons; one of which was Henry, ancestor of Lords Lovel of Kary. 3

The Lovels of Tichmersh who had summons to Parliament in 1297 were a baronial family of considerable distinction. By example, Sir Richard Lovel was summoned to Parliament from 1348-1350.

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had only three entries for the family: Lovel le Clerc, Essex; Caterina Lovel, Oxfordshire; and Lovel (without surname), Surrey. 4

Early History of the Leavell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Leavell research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1454, 1483, 1487, 1631, 1709, 1713, 1737 and 1788 are included under the topic Early Leavell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Leavell Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Lovell, Lowell, Lovel, Leavell, Lowles and others.

Early Notables of the Leavell family

Notable among the family at this time was Francis Lovell, (1454-c. 1487), friend and supporter of Richard III, made Viscount Lovell on January 4th 1483; he...
Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Leavell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Leavell Ranking

In the United States, the name Leavell is the 11,680^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 5

Migration of the Leavell family to Ireland

Some of the Leavell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Leavell migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Leavell Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

J.T. Leavell, aged 36, who landed in America, in 1905
John Thorn Leavell, aged 38, who immigrated to America, in 1906
Lila Leavell, aged 30, who landed in America, in 1910
Mrs. Gray Leavell, aged 30, who immigrated to the United States, in 1915
Frank Leavell, aged 39, who immigrated to the United States, in 1923

Contemporary Notables of the name Leavell (post 1700) +

Carroll Leavell (1936-2023), American politician and a Republican member of the New Mexico Senate from January 1997 to his retirement in December 2018
Allen Frazier "Chuck" Leavell (b. 1957), retired American professional NBA basketball player
Charles Alfred "Chuck" Leavell (b. 1952), American pianist and keyboardist, member of The Allman Brothers Band
William Hayne Leavell (1850-1930), American Democratic Party politician, U.S. Minister to Guatamala, 1913-18 6
Elizabeth Oliver Leavell (1871-1952), American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Maryland, 1928 6
Ava Leavell Haymon, American poet, the 2013-2015 Poet Laureate of Louisiana

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 15) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html